- Username
- MitchW97
- Date posted
- 5y ago
Welcome to the community! I completely understand how hard is to not be able to do simple things without having a mental battle. It’s so, so hard and I’m sorry you’re dealing with this. When it comes to intrusive thoughts, let them flow. Nothing OCD says about you is true, so it won’t do any harm to not pay attention to them. Reacting to them makes them stay longer. If you don’t want to go on medication there are natural supplements available that you can try.
You’re welcome! I hate the fight or flight stress that goes with OCD! I’ve heard that curcumin, a component of turmeric, and ashwaghanda help with OCD. Here’s a website I found helpful. https://bebrainfit.com/natural-remedies-ocd/
Welcome! Slow progress is still progress! In general with ERP, it gets a little worse before it gets better. When you start effectively treating the thoughts, they basically try to fight to stay alive. The mental battle is real! But for awhile, it probably just has to feel that way. But you’ll gain more practice and it will become much more automatic as time goes on. Meds can help for some. I recommend doing your research first and not staying on them more than a year. Most studies done on them are relatively short term, so we know the short term effects but not the long (and long term is considered over a year.) You said you’re doing CBT, are you also doing mindfulness training? It’s great for helping to let those thoughts flow without constantly feeling the need to battle them.
Thanks for your responses guys!! Your advice is invaluable, it finally feels good to speak to other people with this stupid overthinking nightmare, because as I said previously, some people who try and understand it simply can’t ? Ill definitely do more research around supplements or meds so thank you for your advice! Meditation or mindfulness also seems great practice ?
You’re welcome. I’m glad to have been able to help. I agree it’s hard to make people who don’t have OCD truly understand what we go through every day.
Hi @mitchw97. I’m proud of you for getting the help you need and continuing to do the hard work of breaking through ocd. Here’s my perspective on medication: I have been on SSRI medication for thirteen years and it has saved my life. I also deal with severe depression, but the medication has enabled me to live a relatively normal life. Yes, I’ve gained about 15 pounds that won’t come off no matter what I do, but at least I’m alive; without the medication I become suicidal. Over the past 13 years I have tried to come off of medication and use supplements instead and these times have turned into nightmares where I become suicidal again. My body needs medication. But your body is yours, and your story is different. I would say that when you are considering medication, the question to ask yourself is: am I functional? Are you are able to go to work/school, be with friends, pay your rent, take showers and eat? If you can’t do those things, I suggest seeking guidance from your therapist and physician and get their recommendations on whether they think you should start medication. TL;DR: meds saved my life and I will never be able to get off them and that’s fine with me; if you’re functional in daily life, talk to your dr about the possibility of starting meds.
@catlady thanks for your reply! I am trying to let them flow, I’ve had many chats with my therapist about the whole fight or flight malarkey too, it’s just a bit difficult going from 100mph of gottadothisgottadothisgottadothis to meh ? Do you have any recommendations for natural supplements? I haven’t the foggiest idea where to start!
@puppychino thank you!! i’m glad they’ve worked for you, I have heard numerous stories about their effectiveness and I have had my doubts. I think I am rather quite functional, I hit a wall a few months ago where I think medication could have been the only thing that could have helped, but I started CBT and that has been really helpful, but as I said in the OP, I feel I’ve hit a bit of a wall. I’m referring to another therapist and I am going to start looking into other supplements, as a kind of progression to before I start thinking about medications ? Thank you for your help, I hope your own journey is full of joy and good fortune.
Hello guys, I’m new here. I’ve been suffering mainly with Pure O since I was around 11 (that’s the first instance I think) but over the years have had numerous trips to the doctors to be told I have anxiety/depression. To be fair I didn’t really open up about my intrusive thoughts as I felt embarrassed and put up with it for so long. I don’t doubt I probably suffer with some kind of depression due to the OCD as it’s SO draining. But after going to a couple therapists we think I have depersonalisation/derealization disorder. However, I feel this is caused by OCD as I feel fine in the mornings but I then check in to see how I’m feeling and then that’s it, last all day and has done for what feels like years now. I have a terrible memory and feel drained all day long, no confidence. Does anyone have any advice on how to tackle this/how I can properly do ERP to help? Thanks so much in advance.
Hi, I’m new to this app and I’m not sure if it’ll help me, but I’ll try anything to get better. For anyone who wants to read, here’s my story: I think I began having OCD when I was young, after my parents divorced and I went through being abused by the parent I was living with, while also going through bullying at school. I went through a trauma, and that’s when it set in. I’m now 21, and within the past 2 years I’ve got my first car, first real job, moved out on my own, and had a baby. So a lot of major life changes. This has thrown the OCD into a state that’s just unmanageable. I can’t fold laundry because it’s impossible to get it perfect, so it stays in the dryer. I can’t clean up anything without having absolute silence and taking hours. It’s hard to shower, having to OCD anything I touch. It’s hard to make dinner, it’s hard to wash dishes. Everything is hard anymore. I tried medication, but it just gave me severe headaches and dizziness, which only agitated my OCD more. I just want hope that this is something that can indeed be treated. It only keeps getting worse with age and it’s extremely hard to live a normal life like this. If anyone has similar stories feel free to share, I will definitely read them.
I miss my life before ocd. When I would never wake up in a cycle of overthinking and worry and the moment I open my eyes till the moment I sleep, it’s non stop intrusive and unwanted thoughts. It scares me, I don’t want to live my life like this forever. I cry so much, as I’m sure most of you would relate. My heart just feels heavy, that’s the best description I can give, I feel like I’m just existing not actually LIVING. (Not an existential theme) I feel like I just bring everyone down around me, my mental illness has an affect on those around me and though I can’t help I am mentally ill, it takes a toll on me when I KNOW I’m hurting others when they see me so sad all the time, including my daughter… I’ve been dealing with this for somewhere between 1-2 years, which doesn’t seem like a long time but when your life is this constant never ending doubt every single day sometimes all day long, it feels like forever… I just want to be HAPPY. Is that too much to ask for? To just feel genuine happiness and not have these obsessive ego dystonic thoughts 24/7, or at all… I try and keep my head above water and just keep swimming, I wish I could see an ocd therapist but im sorry even with NOCD, it’s TOO EXPENSIVE. I live in Australia so don’t have access to Medicare through NOCD therapy… what options do I have. I’m at a low point, trying to function every day and distract myself from my head by cleaning, looking after my daughter and dog, doing little activities to occupy my time. But there’s only so much distracting you can do I guess.
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